Our Tree Strategy
Our Tree Strategy sets out how we'll work to protect and enhance the district's tree stock in a sustainable and appropriate way, recognising the value that trees have to people and places.
The strategy addresses our legal and management duties in relation to trees and is the main point of reference for all tree-related works that come under our remit - that includes trees that we own and manage, as well as those in private ownership for which we have a role in safeguarding or management.
Download the Winchester Tree Strategy (pdf).
Tackling the climate emergency
The tree strategy is a key part of our plans to respond to the climate emergency. Increasing tree coverage and properly managing other factors, such as the age, growth rate, and spacing of trees, helps towards a key process known as carbon sequestration, whereby trees pull carbon from the atmosphere and store it away.
It is estimated that one hectare of woodland can store away between 300 and 500 tonnes of CO2 over a 100-year lifespan - this makes managing trees in an effective way a vital part of our Carbon Neutrality Action Plan, which includes ambitions to:
- Collaborate with partners and landowners to identify up to 100 hectares of land to support additional tree planting and/or the creation of grassland and wetland habitats
- Develop a programme of habitat creation starting with planting at least 100 trees annually on council land
Enhancing biodiversity in the district
The tree strategy also supports our Biodiversity Action Plan which identifies woodland and trees as a priority habitat that many different species rely on in order to survive and thrive.
The strategy sets out different ways to support and enhance biodiversity, such as ensuring that valuable habitat features, such as bug-friendly nooks, water pockets, dead wood and more, are retained where possible.
Improving places and boosting wellbeing
The strategy recognises the importance that trees can have for locations within the district, and the benefits they can bring for our residents. By improving tree coverage and helping to ensure healthy, diverse tree stock, the tree strategy aims to support a number of benefits including:
- Masking noise pollution and improving water quality
- Improving air quality by reducing airborne particulate pollution
- Mitigating the effects of adverse weather, including floods, storm water and wind turbulence
- Providing health and wellbeing benefits (one study found that being able to see a tree from a hospital bed reduced the length of patients' hospital stays!)
For more information on trees in Winchester district, including Tree Preservation Orders, protected trees and landscape resources for planning see https://www.winchester.gov.uk/planning/trees.